Arkansas remains a hot spot for supply chain and distribution. Its strategic location in the center of
the country offers market access to more than 100 million people within a 550-mile radius. Companies
like Walmart, Amazon, FedEx and ABF Freight have long positioned their distribution centers in the
state to take advantage of location and transportation networks. Yet, the state has also diversified its
economy in recent years and is now doubling down on its innovation potential. In the summer of 2024,
it launched ARise—Arkansas Innovators, Startups and Entrepreneurs—an ambitious initiative aimed at
propelling tech and tech-enabled companies in the state to new heights of innovation.
Advantage Arkansas: Offers a state income tax credit for the creation of jobs based on the payroll of new, full- time, permanent employees hired.
Tax Back: Provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials, machinery and equipment to eligible businesses.
ArkPlus: A state income tax credit program that provides tax credits of 10% of the total investment in a new location or expansion project.
Equity Investment Incentive Program: Discretionary income tax credit of up to 33.3% of amount invested for technology-based businesses offering wages above state or county averages.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
arkansasedc.com
Association of Arkansas Development Organizations
arkansaseconomicregions.org
Little Rock Regional Chamber
littlerockchamber.com/economic-development
Fort Smith Regional Alliance
fortsmithregionalalliance.com
Launched in October 2024, the Arkansas Business Resource Hub offers a free and decentralized listing of organizations offering resources, programs and funding to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Users get access to a range of features, including a learning center with guides to help entrepreneurs and ESOs explore co-working opportunities, entrepreneurship opportunities and more.
Four Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
